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Soil Pollution Test - 1

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Soil Pollution Test - 1
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  • Question 1
    1 / -0.25
    Which of the following is not a source of pollution in soil?
    Solution
    • Soil contamination or soil pollution as part of land degradation is caused by the presence of xenobiotics (human-made) chemicals or other alterations in the natural soil environment. It is typically caused by industrial activity, agricultural chemicals, or improper disposal of waste.
    • Fungi and bacteria found in the soils cannot bind the soil due to chemical changes and this causes soil erosion. Large tracts of land become barren; unable to support any life on it. Even the plants that do grow on these lands will absorb the toxins and transfer them to the food chain.

    Hydropower 

    • Hydropower is electrical energy produced through the power of moving water. In modern technology, hydropower moves turbines that pass on their energy to a generator which then produces electric power. Hydropower is a type of renewable energy, and once the power plant is constructed it produces little to no waste.
    • Hydropower plants convert potential energy into mechanical energy through water turbines, which then generate electricity.
    • The main purpose is to store energy by pumping water up into the upper reservoir during low-demand periods and generate (peaking) power by releasing the water back to the turbine during high-demand periods.

    Transport sector

    • The environmental impact of transport is significant because transport is a major user of energy, and burns most of the world's petroleum. This creates air pollution, including nitrous oxides and particulates, and is a significant contributor to global warming through the emission of carbon dioxide.
    • Transportation, as a component of the tourism industry, has many side effects on the environment due to carbon dioxide emissions, pollution, etc. The work mainly emphasizes the way in which air, road, rail, and water transportation influence the quality of the environment, contributing to global warming at the same time.

    Agriculture sector

    • Agriculture and livestock activities pollute soil through the excessive application of pesticides and fertilizers, the use of untreated wastewater for irrigation, and the use of manure and sewage sludge with high antibiotic, antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, and heavy metal content.

    Thermal power plants

    • Since the thermal power plants and the ash ponds are located in densely populated areas, there is a potential chance for contamination of soil and groundwater of the surrounding areas from the toxic trace elements in the ash. These elements are also enriched in the pond ash.

    Since Hydropower plants are not a source of pollution in soil

    Therefore Option 4 is the correct answer.

  • Question 2
    1 / -0.25

    Find the causes of soil pollution -

    A. Accidental Spill

    B. Acid rain

    C. Deforestation

    D. Nuclear waste

    E. Vermicomposting

    F. Genetically Modified plants

    Solution

    The correct answer is A, B, C, D, F

    Concept:

    Soil Pollution:

    • Soil pollution is defined as the ‘addition of substances to the soil, which adversely affects physical, chemical and biological properties of soil and reduces its productivity.’
    • It is a build-up of persistent toxic compounds, chemicals, salts, radioactive materials, or disease-causing agents in soil that have adverse effects on plant growth, and human and animal health.

    Causes:

    • Indiscriminate use of fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides and herbicides
    • Dumping of large quantities of solid waste
    • Deforestation and soil erosion
    • Pollution Due to Urbanisation.
    • Accidental Spill.
    • Acid rain caused due to air pollution.
    • Genetically Modified Plants.
    • Nuclear Wastes.
    • Industrial accidents.
    • Landfill and illegal dumping Land erosion.
    • Agricultural practices, such as the application of pesticides, herbicides and fertilisers.
    • Mining and other industries.
    • Oil and fuel dumping Buried wastes.
    • Disposal of coal ash.
    • Disposal of ammunition and agents of war Drainage of contaminated surface water into the soil.
    • Electronic waste.
    • Acid rain

    Explanation:

    Hence the major factors here which satisfy the answer is 

    A. Accidental Spill

    B. Acid rain

    C. Deforestation

    D. Nuclear waste

    F. Genetically Modified plants

    Hence, the answer is A, B, C, D, F

  • Question 3
    1 / -0.25
    Soil pH of acidic soil can be improved by
    Solution

    The correct answer is Adding Lime.

    • Soil pH of acidic soil can be improved by adding Lime.

    Key Points

    • The pH of highly acidic soils can be raised by incorporating limestone into the soil.
    • Hydrated lime works quicker, but over liming is more likely.
    • pH is measured on a logarithmic scale from 1 to 14, with 7 being neutral.
    • A soil with a pH of 4 has 10 times more acid than soil with a pH of 5 and 100 times more acid than soil with a pH of 6.

    Additional Information

    • Soil pH is a measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions in the soil solution.
    • The lower the pH of the soil, the greater the acidity.
    • pH should be maintained at above 5.5 in the topsoil and 4.8 in the subsurface.
    • A well-maintained soil pH will maintain the value of the soil resource, maximize crop and pasture choice, and avoid production losses due to low pH.
  • Question 4
    1 / -0.25
    Which of the following is the factor that determines the ability of soil to change the shape or moulding when wet? 
    Solution

    The correct answer is Soil consistency.

    Key Points

    • Soil consistency 
      • It is the strength with which soil materials are held together or the resistance of soils to deformation and rupture.
      • It is measured for wet, moist, and dry soil samples.
      • It may be estimated in the field using simple tests or may be measured more accurately in the laboratory.
      • It also ensures the resistance of soil particles to crushing or pulverizing action by implements when dry.
      • It helps in knowing the tilth.
    • Soil pH
      • It shows the potentiality of H+ ions. It determines the acidic or alkaline reaction of the soil. 
      • Most soils have pH values between 3.5 and 10. In higher rainfall areas the natural pH of soils typically ranges from 5 to 7, while in drier areas the range is 6.5 to 9.
    • Soil density
      • Soil has a certain percentage of pore space through which air and water movement takes place.
      • The density of soil denotes the weight of the soil per unit volume.
      • Particle density refers to the actual density of soil solids. It is defined as mass per unit volume of soil solid only.
      • Bulk density refers to the weight per unit volume occupied by soil solids, as well as, pore space of the soil
  • Question 5
    1 / -0.25
    Which one of the following is not the main cause for soil salinity and sodicity?
    Solution

    Concept:

    Saline irrigation water contains dissolved substances known as salts. In much of the arid and semi-arid areas most of the salts present in irrigation water are chlorides, sulphates, carbonates, and bicarbonates of calcium magnesium, sodium, and potassium.

    While salinity can improve soil structure, it can also negatively affect plant growth and crop yields.

    Sodicity refers specifically to the amount of sodium present in irrigation water. Irrigating with water that has excess amounts of sodium can adversely impact soil structure, making plant growth difficult.

    Highly saline and sodic water qualities can cause problems for irrigation, depending on the type and amount of salts present, the soil type being irrigated, the specific plant species and growth stage, and the amount of water able to pass through the root zone.

    Causes of soil salinity and sodicity:

    1. Major reason for bringing in excessive salts in the plant root zone is the use of excessive irrigation water or having very wet weather conditions (excessive rains), which are man-made and natural respectively.

    2. The primary natural cause for these two is the parent material of the soils within the state and the underlying sodium-rich shale that is present in the bedrock below the soil sediments.

    3. Irrigation mismanagement

    4. Poor land levelling

    5. Leaching without adequate drainage
  • Question 6
    1 / -0.25
    The process of decomposition of biodegradable organic matter by the soil bacteria as in ordinary composting techniques but takes assistance of cultured earthworms is known as
    Solution

    Explanation:

    Vermi composting 

    • It is a process of decomposition of biodegradable organic matter by the soil bacteria as in ordinary composting techniques but takes assistance of cultured earthworms
    • The species like Eisenia foetida and Eudrilus eugeniae are effective in converting agricultural wastes into compost.


    Methods followed:

    • Heap method
    • Pit method: above ground and below ground
    • Below ground method pit size: 10 × 1 × 0.3 m
    • Each layer: 6 - 7 cm thick
    • Sprinkle water once in 8 - 10 days.
    • Release: 2 - 2.5 kg worms / pit.


    Additional Information

    Thermal pyrolysis

    • Pyrolysis is a process of splitting municipal solid waste through a combination of thermal cracking and condensation reaction into gaseous, liquid, and solid fractions in an oxygen-free atmosphere.
    • Pyrolysis is a highly endothermic process and known as destructive distillation whereas the combustion process is a highly exothermic process.


    Sanitary landfilling

    • This is a method of disposal of municipal solid waste.
    • In this method disposal of refuse is being carried out over the low lying area in the layers of approximately 1.5 m thick.
    • Each layer after being disposed of is properly compacted and left for at least 7 days before the application of another layer over it.
    • This entire process is biological in approach.
    • For optimum decomposition moisture content of the refuse must be greater than 60 %.
    • This entire process completed within 2-12 months after which the height of the landfill is reduced by 25 - 40 %.


    Shredding and pulverization

    • In real terms, these are not the methods of disposal of solid waste these are only used to convert the heavier solid into the lighter one either by cutting or tearing action (Shredding) or by crossing or grinding action (Pulverisation).
  • Question 7
    1 / -0.25

    Which among the following options is correct with respect to the factors affecting the formation of soil?

    1. Flora, fauna, and micro-organisms affect the rate of humus formation.

    2. Parent rocks determine the texture and permeability of soil.

    Solution

    The correct answer is option 3, i.e Both 1 and 2.

    • The major factors of soil formation are the nature of the parent rock and climatic factors.
    • Other factors are the topography, role of organic material and time taken for the composition of soil formation. All these differ from place to place.
      • Parent Rock: Determines colour, texture, chemical properties mineral, content, permeability.
      • Climate: Temperature, Rainfall influence rate of weathering and humus formation.
      • Time: Determines the thickness of soil profile.
      • Flora, Fauna and Micro-organism: Affect the rate of humus formation.
      • Relief: Altitude and slope, determine the accumulation of the soil.
  • Question 8
    1 / -0.25
    Which type of soil has the highest water holding capacity ?
    Solution

    The correct answer is Clay soil.

    Key Points

    • Clay Soil:
      • It consists of very fine particles of clay.
      • The water holding capacity of this soil is very high and due to this, it is very sticky.
      • This soil is used to grow crops that require more water to grow like paddy. It is also used in making toys.
    • Water holding capacity order:-
      • Clay Soil >Silt Soil >Loamy Soil > Sandy Soil.


    Additional Information

    • Loamy Soil:
      • It consists of sand, clay, and slit.
      • It has enough humus and good water holding capacity.
      • This soil is good for cultivation, crops like wheat, sugarcane, cotton, pulses can grow easily.
    • Sandy Soil:
      • It consists mostly of sand and clay. the water-holding capacity of this soil is very low.
      • This soil is not good for cultivation but if water is available we can grow maize, millets, barley, and some fruits like melon and coconut.
    • Black Soil:
      • This is also known as black lava soil.
      • This soil is black in colour and rich in clay and lava rocks.
      • Crops suitable to grow in this are cotton, sugarcane, tobacco, millets, wheat, and oilseeds.
    • Red Soil:
      • The colour of this soil is red due to the presence of iron oxide.
      • This soil is not much fertile seems yellow when less iron and more water is present.
      • Crops suitable to this are groundnuts, millets, pulses, cotton, and tobacco.
  • Question 9
    1 / -0.25
    Which of the following is not a major pollutant which causes soil pollution?
    Solution

    The Correct Answer is Option (3) i.e. Nitrogen Oxides.

    • The two most common and hazardous oxides of nitrogen are nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide.
    • The oxides of nitrogen are the major pollutants of air pollution and global warming.
    • Soil pollution refers to the contamination of the soil with anomalous concentrations of toxic substances.
    • The different types of pollutants that are found in contaminated soil are given below :
      • Hydrocarbons - 42%
      • Heavy Metals - 31%
      • Mineral Oil - 20%
      • Other - 7%
  • Question 10
    1 / -0.25
    Which of the following methods is used to maintain the soil fertility?
    Solution

    All the methods mentioned in the above options are used to maintain the soil fertility.

    Cover Cropping

    There are some crops which take a long time to grow. So in between the crops, we can grow a shorter duration of plants. The longer crops protect the shorter one.

    Crop Rotation

    It involves the planting of different crops on the same portion of land in a particular order.

    Use of Fertilizers

    It can be used to supply nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus to the soil.

    Fallowing

    If a piece of land is made to rest without cultivation it may lead to soil fertility.

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